Patriots still tight-lipped about perfection

Monday

Dec 24, 2007 at 12:01 AMDec 24, 2007 at 7:30 PM

All season long, the Patriots would only talk about one game: The next game. There was no discussion of running the table. No mention of 16-0 was allowed. Most gave up trying to talk with the Pats about the potential for perfection.

Douglas Flynn

All season long, the Patriots would only talk about one game: The next game.

There was no discussion of running the table. No mention of 16-0 was allowed. Most gave up trying to talk with the Pats about the potential for perfection.

"I think people know better than to ask me about it," said wide receiver Wes Welker, "except you people."

Us people being the media vultures who have been digging for undefeated discussion for months. Well Wes, now the next game is for 16-0.

The Pats took care of business against the Dolphins on Sunday with a 28-7 win. The final test for a perfect regular season is up next in New York, or technically New Jersey, against the Giants on Saturday night.

So now the questions about 16-0 can be asked. Unfortunately, the answers still might not satisfy anyone with an appreciation for the history that could be made this weekend.

"It's the next game," said tackle Matt Light. "We're going to prepare for the Giants and do what we always do. We don't get caught up in that stuff. You guys know that. Even you guys have to get tired of hearing about that."

Nope, we still want to talk about it, maybe in part because the Pats don't seem willing to publicly acknowledge just how special this achievement would be. And that stems right from the top. The head honcho himself dictates the party line coming out of Foxboro.

"It's good to win and we're not really too hung up on that," coach Bill Belichick said when asked about going 16-0. "We'll get ready for next week. We'll take one week at a time and get ready for next week."

At least Belichick cracked his armor enough to sow that he understands what everyone wants to talk about, even if he won't.

"I'm sure that's what you were looking for," he added with a smile.

Most of his players have played it straighter. Welker wouldn't even concede that a win over the Giants would be anything special.

"None," said Welker when asked what significance 16-0 would have for him. "It's just the next game. That's the way we're going to treat it and the way we're going to go about it. Nobody's gone 15-0 either but we're still the same people and still the same team."

So if they can't talk about it this week, when can the Patriots reflect on what they stand to accomplish with another victory?

"It's another ballgame for us, another great opportunity," safety Rodney Harrison said. "Once we retire and we're all grumpy old men, then we'll probably sit back and talk about this, that and the other. But for now, we're just focused on the task at hand, and that's improving on our performance and going out there and trying to beat the Giants."

The reason behind the lack of discussion is of course the reality that the season doesn't end this week. A 16-0 record has never been done, but it won't mean much to these players if it's not followed up by three more postseason wins and another Super Bowl title.

Still, there are a few Pats willing to admit they're at least tempted to talk about a 16-0 mark.

"Yeah, we think about it here and there, but we know we have to concentrate and get better," said defensive lineman Jarvis Green, quickly falling back in line.

"There are still things we have to work on. We know it's going to get harder in these last games. I know we have to prepare for the Giants and stay under control."

And that doesn't mean they can't celebrate the wins they've already secured.

"We're going to enjoy this," said linebacker Junior Seau after Sunday's victory. "It was something that was a gift to each other, being one of the first to be 15-0 at this point of the season. It was something that was very important to us. So we're going to go on from there."

And where will they go? C'mon, surely someone can say it.

"We have an opportunity this week to play the Giants and hopefully get to 16-0," said quarterback Tom Brady.

At last, there's one player who can't be completely muffled by Belichick. You know Brady's not about to get benched - not even in a game that has no impact on playoff positioning. Not when that elusive 16-0 is so close.

"I think that would be a great accomplishment for this team," Brady said. "Coach (Belichick) has kept pressure on us all week, this past week, really all season he's coached us very hard and we've responded and we need to continue to respond."

They just won't respond to questions about going undefeated.

Douglas Flynn covers the Patriots for the Daily News. He can be reached at 508-626-4405 or dflynn@cnc.com.